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Wednesday, September 19, 2012

When Tuesday nightâs game started, Mariners catcher John Jaso was 28 years old. By the time the game ended, 18 innings and 5:44 later, he had turned 29.

Happy birthday, John Jaso. (Getty Images)

The Mariners ended up losing 4-2 to the Orioles, in a hard-fought and exhausting battle. And the few-hundred or so fans who stuck around at Safeco Field, as the day turned from Sept. 18 to Sept. 19, got an exciting but ultimately disappointing spectacle.

It really was more like two games. And at 18 innings, it basically was two games. The first half was dominated by young Mâs pitcher Erasmo Ramirez, who took a two-hit shutout into the top of the ninth inning. He faced two batters in the ninth but gave up two hits, earning two runs, before being relieved. Tied at 2-2 since the top of the ninth, the second half was a battle of the bullpens â" neither Seattleâs nor Baltimoreâs offense could muster a run, despite several rallies, for nine more innings.

Finally, the Orioles scored off reliever Lucas Luetge â" the Marinersâ eighth pitcher of the night â" for two in the top of the 18th. And Seattle couldnât answer in the bottom frame.

âIt is a challenge,â Mâs Manager Eric Wedge said after the game. âItâs a scenario they donât get into too much. But every now and again up here it does happen. And itâs tough on both sides offensively. And everyone wants it so bad. We had so many opportunities. I mean we had so many opportunities â" one more hit and the gameâs over.â

The game tied for the fourth-longest in Mariners franchise history by innings. On June 24, 2004, the Mariners and Rangers took one into the 18th innings in Arlington. Texas ended up winning that one 9-7. By game time, Tuesdayâs was the fourth-longest game at 5 hours, 44 minutes.

The longest two games in Mariners history were each suspended after 20 innings. The first spanned Sept. 3 and 4 during the 1981 season; the Mariners beat the Red Sox 8-7 in Boston. The second was played over April 13 and 14, 1982, versus the California Angels; the Mariners lost 4-3. The third-longest by innings was a 5-4 win in 19 frames over Boston at home on Aug. 1, 2000.